New Review: Common optical fibre coatings
From acrylates to silicones: A new review provides a comparison among four most utilised, commercially available types of coating material for optical fibre coatings used for normal to harsh environments.
The full realisation of optical fibres in devices such as sensors is reliant on the stability of their polymer coating under in-service conditions. Depending on the application, resistance to several environmental factors may be required, such as high or low humidity level, temperature, pressure, or exposure to aggressive solids, liquids or gases. Changes in mechanical or chemical properties as a result of harsh environments can lead to stresses in the coating and subsequent deterioration of the physical or optical properties of the optical fibre.
Physiochemical properties
A variety of coating materials are available on the global market, offering optical fibre manufacturers a plethora of options. A new review provides a comparison among four most utilised, commercially available types of coating material: conventional and specialty acrylates, polyimides and silicones. It details the history of their development, reported physiochemical properties and some of their main limitations in the context of optical fibre coating applications.
The review has been published in Progress in Organic Coatings, Volume 180, July 2023.
